Biological Sciences (Zoology) MBiol (Integrated Masters)

First Year Module in Focus: Biological Diversity

This module introduces students to the incredible array of life forms and ecosystems that exist on our planet. Starting with prokaryotic organisms, we will climb the evolutionary ladder through to mammals and humans, learning about evolution, diversity, classification and ecosystems through a range of classroom, field- and lab-based activities.

We will learn about the applications of organisms to technology by creating biofuel from cyanobacteria, estimate population sizes using mark-recapture techniques and reconstruct lineages using phylogenetic analyses in our practical classes. Studying in a period of massive biodiversity loss and limited funding for conservation, you will work within a team to create a compelling video advocating for the conservation of a threatened species of your choice, bringing together your scientific knowledge and creativity to communicate to a broader audience.

Second Year Module in Focus: Animal Behaviour

This module examines animal behaviour in terms of evolutionary history and different learning mechanisms, the underlying processes that produce behaviour and the benefits this brings to animals. It provides a scientific basis for the consideration of current topics in animal behaviour in the context of domestication and natural habitats. Aside from lectures, you will spend some time observing dogs and training horses.

You will be designing an observational study into animal behaviour and spending a day at an animal collection gathering data which will be further examined over the rest of the module. There will be exercises in class, along with plenty of video footage, a very interactive learning environment, including case studies from the lecturer’s veterinary experience. Many students choose to use this module for their dissertation project and many have gone on to work in a related field. Aspects of this module are extended in ‘Welfare and Ethics in Biology’.

Third Year Module in Focus: Behavioural Ecology

Animals regularly face alternative ‘decisions’ that may differ in consequence for their survival and reproduction. ‘Decisions’ such as where to feed and what to feed on or whether to defend their young from a predator or flee to breed again involve cost and benefit trade-offs that will potentially influence the animal’s success or failure. Behavioural ecology investigates the roles of behaviour in enabling an animal to adapt to situations it might face in it. It examines the potential advantages of specific behaviours in terms of increasing an animal’s survival and reproduction (fitness) when faced with environmental conditions or interactions with other species.

Teaching

You are taught through a combination of lectures, practical work, field work, video presentations, group tutorials, discussions, directed reading, and formative assessments. The first year also includes study skills sessions. The course is very practical and offers you the opportunity to undertake an independent project in your third year. The emphasis on the development of 'hands on' practical skills will provide you with useful skills for your future career.

In addition, meetings with personal academic tutors are scheduled on at least 4 occasions in the first year and three occasions in each of the other years of a course.

You have an opportunity to take a work experience module in your second or third year, to engage with an Erasmus scheme and spend a semester abroad, or to become involved in staff research through the Vacation Research Assistantship Scheme.

Year 4 will involve much more independent work and group work and the chance to engage in a substantial piece of research.

Contact time

In a typical week, students will have at least 12 contact hours of teaching, most of which will be on campus. The precise contact hours will depend on the optional modules selected and in the final year there is normally slightly less contact time to allow students to focus on their research project.

Typically, class contact time will be structured around:

• 4 hours of lectures/seminars
• 7 hours of supervised laboratory practicals
• 1 hour of group workshops
• 1 hour of Study Skills (Year 1 only)

Independent self-study

In addition to the contact time, you are expected to undertake around 24 hours of personal self-study per week (although this will increase substantially in year 4). Typically, this will involve:

• Reviewing lecture notes and reading around topics to reinforce and expand on content
• Directed and self-directed reading and watching of video content
• Working through problems in appropriate texts and online
• Preparation of coursework assignments and revising for exams
• Working with colleagues on team tasks and projects

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, including the Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources.

Teaching staff

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. You will mainly be taught by senior academics, but visiting speakers with specialised expertise may deliver some sessions. Technicians support practical sessions. Research assistants and post doctorial researchers will support pure and applied research in year 4.

Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Teaching is informed by the research and consultancy. All lecturers in Biological Sciences are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy or working towards this. Twenty per cent also have Teaching Fellowships from the University of Worcester. You can learn more about the staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Assessment

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or 'formative' assignments. Each module has one or more formal or 'summative' assessments which are graded and count towards the overall module grade.

Assessment methods include practical reports, presentations, posters, on-line activities, essays and examinations (which may be practical, written, data analysis, seen exams or open book exams).

Feedback

You will receive feedback on practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback on examination performance is available upon request from the module leader. Feedback is intended to support learning and you are encouraged to discuss it with personal academic tutors and module tutors as appropriate.

We aim to provide you with feedback on formal course work assessments within 20 working days of hand-in.

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.